Back-Stepping Control of COVID-19 Spread Not to Exceed Hospital Capacity

Abstract

In this paper, controlling the number of patients who are required to stay in hospitals due to covid-19 through backstepping controller is considered by using data from Italy. States and local administrations want to prevent the spread of the outbreak, with measures such as social distance measures, curfews. Even though the absolute control of the pandemic can be reached through absolute isolation, this solution will cause excessive negative effects on social life and economy. Therefore, each country/city would like to control the outbreak, at least not exceeding its bed capacity. The results of this article has potential of serving as a reference for city administrators or general administrators to manage the outbreak. Based on the current health condition of the people due to the epidemic, society is divided into eight sections in this article. One of these eight population groups is the ones whose hospital treatment is mandatory. With the back-stepping controller, it is proven that the number of patients who need to be hospitalized can be kept below the current bed capacity. Simulation results also show that the proposed controller is effectively controls the patients those need to be hospitalized. © 2021, Gumushane University. All rights reserved.